MOSES LAKE, WA - The Washington State Potato Commission's Tuber-
Awesome campaign will make a stop in New York City the first week in April
with a special appearance by the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in
history, Apolo Anton Ohno.

The Seattle-native and potato commission spokesman will skate a special
demonstration April 7 on The Rink at Rockefeller Center, followed by a
breakfast roundtable at the Sea Grill Restaurant with leading food editors.

Mr. Ohno, an advocate for active and healthy living, will welcome participants
to the special breakfast buffet featuring dishes from a recipe book by kids for
kids. He will demonstrate his passion and prowess for potatoes with the
preparation of one of his favorite dishes -- potato chicken curry soup --
while also addressing the group about the importance of lifestyle choices,
especially to young people.

"We're excited about our opportunity to work with one of the greatest athletes
in sport," Chris Voigt, executive director of the Moses Lake, WA-based
commission, said in a March 30 press release. "Given Apolo's natural affinity
for Washington potatoes and his love for eating and cooking healthy foods,
we're thrilled to have him as ambassador for our champion potatoes and
healthy messages."

"Apolo shares in the vision and values of the Washington [State] Potato
Commission," Commissioner Angela Pixton, who chairs the Public & Industry
Education Committee and is a registered nurse, said in the release. "His
passion and interest in encouraging kids to lead healthy lifestyles with proper
nutrition and exercise is what makes him a terrific ambassador for the
commission."

Ms. Pixton will be among those welcoming approximately 30 food editors of
print and on-line women's, food, family, parenting, health and nutrition, and
sports magazines plus other media representatives at the breakfast.

Other representatives of the Washington potato industry will be Meri Tschirky
and Shani Easterday from prominent farm families; Karen Bonaudi, the
commission's assistant executive director; and consultant Dee Munson of the
Food Professionals.

The commission's Tuber-Awesome message has found its way onto Apolo
Ohno-as-a-potato washable tattoos for kids, slap bracelets, posters and the
kids' recipe book. The commission is also arranging collaborations between
Mr. Ohno and Washington chefs for new recipes.